Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Maryland: Cost, Timeline and Options

Quick answer: Most tub-to-shower conversions in the Baltimore area cost $6,000–$14,000 in 2026. A simple acrylic base with a tiled surround sits at the low end; a fully tiled walk-in shower with frameless glass, a niche and a bench is at the high end. Curbless showers typically run $14,000–$20,000.

Swapping a tub you never use for a walk-in shower is one of the most requested projects we do. It makes a small bathroom feel bigger, it’s easier to clean, and it’s safer as you get older.

Cost Breakdown

• Demo and disposal of the tub and surround.
• Plumbing: new drain location and a new shower valve.
• Waterproofing: a full membrane system behind the tile — the part you never see and the part that matters most.
• Shower base: prefab pan or a custom tiled mortar bed.
• Tile, glass and fixtures: the choices that move the price the most.

For full-bathroom pricing, see our 2026 Maryland bathroom remodel cost guide or get a ballpark in a minute with the free bathroom cost estimator.

Options to Consider

Curb vs. curbless

A low curb is simpler and cheaper. A curbless (zero-threshold) shower looks clean and is easier to walk into, but the floor has to be recessed or built up to slope properly.

Glass

Frameless glass is the most popular upgrade; a fixed panel with no door is the budget-friendly way to get the same look.

Niches and benches

A recessed niche keeps bottles off the floor. A built-in bench is great for shaving legs and for anyone who needs to sit.

Safety

We add blocking in the walls for grab bars even if you don’t want them yet. Handheld showerheads on a slide bar and slip-resistant tile are small costs with a big payoff.

Should You Keep One Tub?

If it’s your only bathroom with a tub and you have young kids — or you plan to sell soon — keeping one tub in the house is usually smart. Converting the primary bath and keeping a tub in the hall bath is a common compromise.

How Long Does It Take?

Most conversions take 4–8 working days. Custom glass is measured after tile and installed about a week later.

See It in Real Homes

Read how we moved the shower into the old tub corner in Sykesville, look at the Bel Air bathroom case study, or browse walk-in showers in the gallery. Local pages: Towson, Ellicott City, Owings Mills and Bel Air.

Every home is different, and the only way to get a real number is to see the space. We offer free in-home estimates across Baltimore, Howard, Carroll, Harford and Anne Arundel counties, with a written, itemized price and no pressure. Call (410) 949-0063 (Mon–Sun, 8am–8pm) or request your free estimate online. We also offer military, senior and teacher discounts and financing through Enhancify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a tub hurt resale value?

Not if another bathroom in the home still has a tub. Many buyers prefer a large walk-in shower in the primary bath.

Do I need a permit for a tub-to-shower conversion?

Moving a drain or valve is plumbing work that usually needs a licensed plumber and a permit. We handle it.

A tub-to-shower conversion often goes hand in hand with plumbing and electrical updates, new flooring and drywall and paint repairs in the rest of the bathroom. We can take care of all of it in one project.

Bathroom remodeling near you: Towson · Reisterstown · Owings Mills · Westminster · Eldersburg · Columbia · Ellicott City · Bel Air · Glen Burnie · Catonsville · See all bathroom remodeling areas